Interview by Georgy Kalatozishvili, Tbilisi. Exclusively for Vestnik Kavkaza
Ahead of the fifth anniversary of the five-day war the Russian prime minister Dmitry Medvedev gave an interview to the Georgian TV-channel “Rustaveli 2.” Speaking about the final settlement of the Georgian-South Ossetian conflict, he stated that it was impossible to refer to major states all the time, whether it is Russia or the U.S. “They have to recollect their courage and start direct consultations – about refugees, about the regime of non-use of force. Unfortunately, the Georgian side avoids the topics, as well as other issues, even though the situation has improved in many economic spheres. I think it is an important result of recent years,” Medvedev said. “It is important to start direct negotiations. The authorities of South Ossetia are responsible for certain issues, and talks should be conducted with them.”
Earlier Medvedev spoke about the five-day war in an interview to Russia Today. The political expert Ramaz Sakvarelidze and expert of the information agency GHN David Avalishvili shared their views on the Russian Premier’s interview with Vestnik Kavkaza. Their statements can seem nonobjective to Russian readers, but they are much more moderate than other comments on the same topic in the Georgian media space.
David Avalishvili. It would be strange, if Premier Dmitry Medvedev agreed with the Georgian version of reasons for the war. For example: “Ossetian military groups shot from Tskhinvali Georgian villages of South Ossetia, threatened to mop them up, killed two Georgian peacemakers during artillery shelling in the village of Avnevi on August 7, and we had to start the wide-scale military campaign against armed separatists.” It is a well-known statement that “the first victim of a war is truth.” Each party has its own truth.
There were three parties, not two in the conflict. Put simply, the interests of Russia and South Ossetia coincided; we should ask Georgian politicians why the interests of Russia and Georgia didn’t coincide. It cannot only be Moscow’s fault.
The saddest aspect of the interview with Medvedev is that he directly connects the restoration of diplomatic relations with the recognition of independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia by Tbilisi. Probably it is only an interpretation of his words, but it is difficult to understand the interview in a different way. So, it seems the diplomatic relations between Russia and Georgia will never be restored, as no Georgian government will ever recognize their independence. By the way, President Putin and the foreign minister of Russia Sergey Lavrov have never stated on this condition of restoration of the diplomatic relations with Georgia.
Ramaz Sakvarelidze. The appearance of the Georgian topic at the top level of the Russian power is connected not only with the fifth anniversary of the war, but also with other things which depend on relations between the President and Premier of Russia. Dmitry Medvedev said nothing absolutely new or unexpected. However, there was a detail on the new authorities of Georgia and personally Bidzina Ivanishvili: Medvedev complimented the Georgian prime minister for he blamed Saakashvili for the five-day war.
Vestnik Kavkaza. What are the conclusions from the part of Medvedev’s interview?
Ramaz Sakvarelidze. Politicians of such a level, like Dmitry Medvedev, never read statements by other leaders. It is a duty of their teams. Teams recommend these or that events for detailed learning. So, the statements by Ivanishvili who has several times stressed responsibility of President Saakashvili for the five-day war were found important by Moscow. However, part of the responsibility was put on Moscow by Ivanishvili in the same statements, but Medvedev avoided it.
These words by Medvedev are not favorable to Ivanishvili. Moreover, they prevent his course on approaching Russia. The construction of fences made of barbed wire on the administrative border between Georgia and South Ossetia is taking place under the management of Bidzina Ivanishvili, and he is responsible for all processes undergoing in the country, not Saakashvili. Barbed wire passing through Georgian villages discredits not Saakashvili, but Ivanishvili in eyes of his people.
Moscow should realize this. Moreover, when Russian Premiers speak about the “courage” of Ivanishvili who blamed President of his own country of the beginning of the war.
Vestnik Kavkaza. If your version is true, why does Moscow want to discredit Ivanishvili who makes loyal statements and decisions which would never be made by Saakashvili?
Ramaz Sakvarelidze. The point is to show the new Georgian authorities that life is not sweet. Fundamental contradictions between Russia and Georgia haven’t been eliminated, and they cannot by positive statements only. In this context for Russia it would be more beneficial to deal with Saakashvili who created an image of an enemy from Russia, but Moscow did the same. It is a common practice in politics.
“Peacemaking Ivanishvili” doesn’t satisfy powerful forces in Moscow. They want “hostile Saakashvili.” Otherwise, they cannot explain why barbed wire is being installed today through peaceful Georgian villages. The forces in Moscow will try to weaken Ivanishvili and discredit him in eyes of his people.
Vestnik Kavkaza. Dmitry Medvedev said that in few months after the conflict the Georgian topic disappeared from talks between Russian leaders and their Western colleagues. Why did it happen?
Ramaz Sakvarelidze. The topic is still intensively discussed at international forums.
Vestnik Kavkaza. Russian Premier meant meetings of leaders in the bilateral format, formats of G8 and G20.
Ramaz Sakvarelidze. We don’t know what happened behind closed doors. We cannot argue with Dmitry Anatoliyevich in this situation. We don't know whether we should believe him or not.
